BarWashington HeightsAudubon / W 165th St

Club Deportivo Dominicano

A genuine piece of Dominican New York with a long-running Friday salsa night; it is a club, so bring ID and call about nights and door policy.

2088 Amsterdam AveAmsterdam Ave at W 163rd St

What it is

Club Deportivo Dominicano, formally the Centro Cultural Deportivo Dominicano de Nueva York, is a Dominican social and cultural club at 2088 Amsterdam Ave, on the corner of W 163rd St. It was founded on March 23, 1966; the CUNY Dominican Studies Institute says about thirty young Dominicans met in co-founder Conrado Guzmán’s Washington Heights apartment, drawn together by nostalgia and a love of dominoes. The club later moved to 163rd and Amsterdam from an earlier home at 168th St.

Who it’s for

Salsa dancers, groups of friends who want a big dance floor, and people interested in Dominican culture. Impacto Latino reported in 2024 that the club’s activities are socializing, dominoes, billiards, eating and drinking, with ping pong and volleyball too, and an annual anniversary gala.

Standout details

Salsa New York’s guide lists weekly Friday salsa from midnight to 4am in the club room, for ages 21 and over with ID, with a crowd of 200 or more and a bar; its page is undated. Google reviews from February 2026 describe a Friday night with DJs, beer by the bucket, and a loyal crowd, and a review from August 2025 mentions Saturday nights with a live band. The CUNY Dominican Studies Institute’s online exhibit has photographs from the club in 1980 and 1981.

Honest verdict

More a living piece of Dominican social life than a conventional bar. Public Friday nights appear to be current, but some 2025 reviews complain about door staff and dress-code enforcement, so call (212) 923-3817 and expect to show ID. Cover and hours vary by event.